PKL 2019 | Confidence was quite low after getting super tackled twice, says Pawan Sehrawat

In a thrilling eliminator game against UP Yoddha, Bengaluru Bulls won 48-45 in the extra time. The match was tied after 40 minutes of regulation time and it all went down to the wire. Although it was a great game for the neutrals, Bengaluru Bulls skipper Pawan Sehrawat’s confidence level was down at one point of time as he was not getting much success. However, Pawan managed to pick up 20 raid points in total and played a major role in the Bulls’ win.

“My confidence was quite low after I got Super Tackled twice. That is when the coach told me that every raider goes through this and it will be me who ultimately wins the team the match. He told me not to get so pressurised by the situation and to keep going for it even if I get caught. The coach’s word gave me a lot of confidence and then Rohit Kumar also came on the mat and inspired me to do better,” said Pawan after the match.

"There was a point where I told the coach that my raids aren’t working so we may lose the match, but he held firm on his stance and that helped me find my feet. It obviously affects a raider’s morale when he is tackled multiple times. We had covered huge deficits and managed to win matches earlier and that is what the coach kept reminding me of.”

After sitting out of the starting 7, Rohit Kumar was called on to the mat in the first half as Bengaluru were short of raiders. The senior player had an important role in guiding the younger players on the mat as well and especially when they were under pressure as UP Yoddha were having a good time in the initial passage of the eliminator.

“My role was mainly to explain things to the players and ensure they carry out the strategy properly. The coach told me when I was on the bench that the players aren’t able to execute the strategy effectively, so he sent me on,” said the experienced raider. 

“He told me that my performance isn’t as important if we win the match. Even though I scored just one raid point, I had to ensure that the team supported Pawan well. So, I just had to ensure my presence on the mat.”